Ah, Sun!

*“Along Church Road” — plein air field study — oil on birch panel 8 x 16″ by Margie Guyot*

It’s cloudy here about 95% of the time in winter, so when we finally have a “warmish” day (upper 30’s) and sun — I let out a whoop, drop everything and go out painting! This spot is on Church Road, south of Klooster.

After that I went to another favorite spot: Barnes Park in Eastport.

*“Shoreline – February – Lake Michigan” — plein air field study in oil on birch panel 8 x 10″ by Margie Guyot*

One of the great things about living up north is the ice pyramids! Having grown up in Iowa, I’d never seen such things. Everything about Lake Michigan fascinates me! Barnes Park always has spectacular ice formations but to get down to the water, you have to pick your way down a very steep, snowy, icy hillside. This time I finally had the sense to remember my YakTrax. Without those marvelous grippy-thingies, it’d turn into “carnival-ride-from-hell”.

Before I knew any better, I’d climb right up the ice pyramids, pitch my easel and paint happily away. But then I found an article about how dangerous those things are. You could slip into a hole and be unable to climb out. Nobody would see you. You’d freeze down there. Coyotes would eat your face off. Not a good way to go! And what IS my preferred way to go, you ask? I’d much rather be vaporized instantly by a meteorite.